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Tuesday, November 18, 2014

The
members of the Security Council strongly condemned the heinous and
cowardly murders of U.S. humanitarian aid worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig,
also known as Peter Kassig, and at least 15 Syrian captives by the
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The members of
the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to
the families of the victims and to the peoples of the United States
and Syria. These crimes once again demonstrate the brutality of
ISIL, which is responsible for thousands of abuses against the Syrian
and Iraqi people.

Regarding Mr. Kassig, the members of
the Security Council noted that his murder is a tragic reminder of
the increasing dangers humanitarian personnel face every day in
Syria. The members of the Security Council recalled United
Nations Security Council resolution 2175 (2014) and their demand that
all parties involved in an armed conflict comply fully with the
obligations applicable to them under international humanitarian law,
including to respect and protect all humanitarian personnel. The
members of the Security Council also recalled their condemnation of
all forms of violence and intimidation to which those participating
in humanitarian operations are increasingly exposed.

The
members of the Security Council stressed again that ISIL must be
defeated and that the intolerance, violence, and hatred it espouses
must be stamped out. The members of the Security Council
further emphasized that such continued acts of barbarism perpetrated
by ISIL do not intimidate them, but rather stiffen their resolve that
there has to be a common effort among Governments and institutions,
including those in the region most affected, to counter ISIL,
Al-Nusra Front and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and
entities associated with Al-Qaida, as the Council resolved in United
Nations Security Council resolution 2170 (2014).

The members
of the Security Council demanded the immediate, safe and
unconditional release of all those who are kept hostage by ISIL,
Al-Nusra Front, and all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and
entities associated with Al-Qaida.

The members of the Security
Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators of these
reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice. The members of the
Security Council stressed that those responsible for the killing of
Abdul-Rahman Kassig and the Syrian captives shall be held
accountable, and urged all States, in accordance with their
obligations under international law and relevant Security Council
resolutions, to cooperate actively in this regard.

The members
of the Security Council reaffirmed the need to combat by all means,
in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to
international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, and that
any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of
their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

7 NOVEMBER 2014

SC/11636

On 7 November 2014, the Security Council’s 2140 Sanctions Committee designated three individuals as subject to the assets freeze and travel ban measures outlined, respectively, in paragraphs 11 and 15 of Security Council resolution 2140 (2014), adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.

The Committee stresses the need for robust implementation of the Sanctions as an important tool in achieving a peaceful, inclusive, orderly and Yemeni-led political transition process.

As a result of the new listings, the Committee reminds Member States of their obligations under resolution 2140 (2014) to ensure that any funds, financial assets or economic resources are prevented from being made available by their nationals or by any individuals or entities within their territories, to or for the benefit of the individuals designated by the Committee; and their obligation to take the necessary measures to prevent the entry into or transit through their territories of the individuals designated by the Committee.

Date on which narrative summary became available on the Committee’s website: 7 November 2014

Abd al-Khaliq al-Huthi was designated for sanctions on 7 November 2014 pursuant to paragraphs 11 and 15 of resolution 2140 (2014), as meeting the designation criteria set out in paragraphs 17 and 18 of the resolution.

Additional information

Abd al-Khaliq al-Huthi has engaged in acts that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Yemen, such as acts that obstruct the implementation of the agreement of 23 November 2011 between the Government of Yemen and those in opposition to it, which provides for a peaceful transition of power in Yemen, and acts that obstruct the political process in Yemen.

In late October 2013, Abd al-Khaliq al-Huthi led a group of fighters dressed in Yemeni military uniforms in an attack on locations in Dimaj, Yemen. The ensuing fighting resulted in multiple deaths.

In late September 2014, an unknown number of unidentified fighters allegedly were prepared to attack diplomatic facilities in Sana’a, Yemen, upon receiving orders from the Abd al-Khaliq al-Huthi. On 30 August 2014, al-Huthi coordinated to move weapons from Amran to a protest camp in Sana’a.

Date on which narrative summary became available on the Committee’s website: 7 November 2014

Abdullah Yahya al Hakim was designated for sanctions on 7 November 2014 pursuant to paragraphs 11 and 15 of resolution 2140 (2014), as meeting the designation criteria set out in paragraphs 17 and 18 of the resolution.

Additional information

Abdullah Yahya al Hakim has engaged in acts that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Yemen, such as acts that obstruct the implementation of the agreement of 23 November 2011, between the Government of Yemen and those in opposition to it, which provides for a peaceful transition of power in Yemen, and that obstruct the political process in Yemen.

In June 2014, Abdullah Yahya al Hakim reportedly held a meeting in order to plot a coup against Yemeni President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi. Al Hakim met with military and security commanders, and tribal chieftains; leading partisan figures loyal to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh also attended the meeting, which aimed to coordinate military efforts to take over Sana’a, Yemen’s capital.

In a 29 August 2014 public statement, the President of the United Nations Security Council stated that the Council condemned the actions of forces commanded by Abdullah Yahya al Hakim who overran Amran, Yemen, including the Yemeni Army Brigade headquarters on 8 July 2014. Al Hakim led the July 2014 violent takeover of the Amran Governorate and was the military commander responsible for making decisions regarding ongoing conflicts in the Amran Governorate and Hamdan, Yemen.

As of early September 2014, Abdullah Yahya al Hakim remained in Sana’a to oversee combat operations in case fighting began. His role was to organize military operations so as to be able to topple the Yemeni Government, and he was also responsible for securing and controlling all routes in and out of Sana’a.

Date on which narrative summary became available on the Committee’s website: 7 November 2014

Ali Abdullah Saleh was designated for sanctions on 7 November 2014 pursuant to paragraphs 11 and 15 of resolution 2140 (2014), as meeting the designation criteria set out in paragraphs 17 and 18 of the resolution.

Additional information

Ali Abdullah Saleh has engaged in acts that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Yemen, such as acts that obstruct the implementation of the agreement of 23 November 2011 between the Government of Yemen and those in opposition to it, which provides for a peaceful transition of power in Yemen, and acts that obstruct the political process in Yemen.

Per the 23 November 2011 agreement backed by the Gulf Cooperation Council, Ali Abdullah Saleh stepped down as President of Yemen after more than 30 years.

As of fall 2012, Ali Abdullah Saleh had reportedly become one of the primary supporters of violent Huthi actions in northern Yemen.

More recently, as of September 2014, Saleh has been destabilizing Yemen by using others to undermine the central government and create enough instability to threaten a coup. According to a September 2014 report by the United Nations Panel of Experts for Yemen, interlocutors alleged that Saleh supports violent actions of some Yemenis by providing them funds and political support, as well as ensuring that GPC members continue to contribute to the destabilization of Yemen through various means.

The September 2014 United Nations Panel of Experts report on Yemen also states that allegations have been made that Ali Abdullah Saleh has been using Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) operatives to conduct assassinations and attacks against military installations in order to weaken President Hadi and create discontent within the army and broader Yemeni population. Clashes in the south of Yemen in February 2013 were a result of the combined efforts of Saleh, AQAP, and southern secessionist Ali Salim al-Bayd to cause trouble before the 18 March 2013 National Dialogue Conference in Yemen.

The Committee’s sanctions list is available on its website at the following URL:http://www.un.org/sc/committees/2140/. The Committee will update regularly its list when it has agreed to include or delete relevant information in accordance with the procedures set out in its Guidelines.

SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED S/AC.56/2014/NOTE.28/Add.3PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION 2140 (2014) 7 November 2014

Note by the Chair

The Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014) presents her compliments to the members of the Committee.

In reference to theletter dated 31 October 2014 from the United States Mission to the United Nations, proposing the designation of three individuals as subject to the assets freeze and travel ban measures outlined, respectively, in paragraphs 11 and 15, of resolution 2140 (2014), together with a corresponding press release, circulated under Note S/AC.56/2014/NOTE.28 of 31 October 2014, the Chair wishes to inform the members that no holds or objections were placed by the set deadline of Friday, 7 November 2014, 5:00 p.m. for the consideration of the proposed designations.

Consequently, the proposed designations are approved and the Chair will instruct the Secretariat to proceed with making the Committee List together with the corresponding narrative summaries available on the Committee website, issuing the press release, as revised, informing Member States about the List, and notifying the Permanent Mission of Yemen to the United Nations of the listing, in accordance with, respectively, paragraphs 6(c), 5(g), 5(h) and 5(i) of the Committee’s Guidelines.

The U.S. Mission to the United Nations informs the Committee pursuant to resolutions 2140 (2014) that the following individuals have been identified pursuant to paragraph 17 of resolution 2140 (2014) as engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security or stability of Yemen: Former President Ali Saleh, Abd alKhaliq al Huthi, Abdullah Yahya al Hakim. We request that these individuals be added to the 2140 (2014) Sanctions List.

We have provided detailed
information on the reasons behind our request for inclusion on the list in the
attached statement of case.

(U//FOUO) Position: President of Yemen’s General People’s
Congress party

(U) Alternate Position: Former President of the Republic of
Yemen

(U) Per the November 23, 2011 Gulf Cooperation Council
agreement, Ali Abdullah Saleh stepped down as President of Yemen after more
than 30 years and transferred power to his Vice President, Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi. Although Saleh is no longer President, he
retains considerable influence in Yemen’s politics as head of the country’s
ruling party, the General People’s Congress (GPC).

(U) Ali Abdullah Saleh has engaged in acts that directly or
indirectly threaten the peace, security, or stability of Yemen, such as acts
that obstruct the implementation of the agreement of November 23, 2011, between
the Government of Yemen and those in opposition to it, which provides for a
peaceful transition of power in Yemen, or that obstruct the political process
in Yemen.

(U) As
of fall 2012, Ali Abdullah Saleh had reportedly become one of the primary
supporters of the Huthi rebellion.Saleh was behind
the attempts to cause chaos throughout Yemen. More recently, as of September 2014, Saleh is
reportedly inciting instability in Yemen by using the Huthi (or “Ansar Allah”) dissident
group to not only delegitimize the central government, but also create enough
instability to stage a coup. According
to a September 2014 United Nations Panel of Experts report on Yemen, Saleh
supports the Huthis by providing them funds and political support, as well as
ensuring that GPC members do nothing to hinder the Huthis in achieving their
objectives. Although Saleh was provided
an opportunity to respond to these allegations, as described in the Panel of
Experts report, he has merely denounced them without providing
explanations. Saleh’s strategy in these
activities appears to be aimed at demonstrating that President Hadi is a failed
President.

(U) The September 2014 United Nations Panel of Experts
report on Yemen also alleges that Ali Abdullah Saleh has been using Al-Qa’ida
in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) operatives to conduct assassinations
against individuals and attacks against military installations in order to
further weaken President Hadi and sow discontent within the army and
population. Clashes in the south of Yemen in February 2013
were a result of the combined efforts of Saleh, AQAP, Iran, and key southern
secessionist ‘Ali Salim al-Bayd to cause trouble before the March 18, 2013
National Dialogue Conference in Yemen.

(U) Statement of
the Case: Abd al-Khaliq al-Huthi

(U) Primary Name: Abd al-Khaliq al-Huthi

(U) Also Known As: Abd-al-Khaliq al-Huthi

(U) Also Known As: Abu-Yunus

(U) Also Known As: Abd-al-Khaliq Badr-al-Din al Huthi

(U) Also Known As: ‘Abd al-Khaliq Badr al-Din al-Huthi

(U) Gender: Male

(U) Date of Birth: 1984

(U) Position: Huthi military commander

(U) Abd al-Khaliq al-Huthi has engaged in acts that directly
or indirectly threaten the peace, security, or stability of Yemen, such as acts
that obstruct the implementation of the agreement of November 23, 2011, between
the Government of Yemen and those in opposition to it, which provides for a
peaceful transition of power in Yemen, or that obstruct the political process
in Yemen. Al-Huthi is a military leader
of the Huthi group, an entity that has engaged in acts that obstruct the
implementation of the agreement of November 23, 2011 between the Government of
Yemen and those in opposition to it, which provides for a peaceful transition
of power in Yemen, or that obstruct the political process in Yemen.

(U) In
late October 2013, Abd al-Khaliq al-Huthi led a group of Huthi fighters dressed
in Yemeni military uniforms in an attack on locations in Dimaj (Yemen) which
were controlled by Salafis. The ensuing
fighting resulted in multiple deaths on both sides.

(U) In August 2014, the U.S. Department of State strongly
condemned the Huthis (also known as “Ansar Allah”) for actions taken to
undermine the Gulf Cooperation Council political transition process and Yemen’s
stability. Specifically, the U.S.
condemned the Huthi’s “provocative, aggressive, and destabilizing actions and
incitement against the Government of Yemen, the establishment of armed camps in
and around Sana’a, and their continued illegitimate control of Amran.”

(U) In
late September 2014, an unknown number of unidentified Huthi movement fighters
allegedly were prepared to attack the U.S. Embassy in Sana’a, Yemen, upon
receiving orders from Huthi military commander of Sana’a,
Abd al-Khaliq al-Huthi. In fall 2014, Al-Huthi
was interested in moving explosives within Yemen. On August 30, 2014, al-Huthi coordinated with
the Huthis in Amran, Yemen, to move weapons from Amran to a Huthi protest camp
in Sana’a.

(U) Statement of
the Case: Abdullah Yahya al Hakim

(U) Primary Name: Abdullah Yahya al Hakim

(U) Also Known As: Abu Ali al Hakim

(U) Also Known As: Abu-Ali al-Hakim

(U) Also Known As: Abdallah al-Hakim

(U//FOUO) Also Known As: Abu Ali Alhakim

(U) Also Known As: Abdallah al-Mu’ayyad

(U) Gender: Male

(U) Date of Birth: circa 1985

(U) Alternate Date of Birth: 1984-1986

(U//FOUO) Place of Birth: Dahyan, Yemen

(U) Alternate Place of Birth: Sa’dah Governorate, Yemen

(U//FOUO) Nationality: Yemen

(U) Address: Dahyan, Sa’dah Governorate, Yemen

(U) Position: Huthi group second-in-command

(U) Abdullah Yahya al Hakim has engaged in acts that
directly or indirectly threaten the peace, security, or stability of Yemen,
such as acts that obstruct the implementation of the agreement of November 23,
2011, between the Government of Yemen and those in opposition to it, which
provides for a peaceful transition of power in Yemen, or that obstruct the
political process in Yemen. In addition,
al Hakim is a military or political leader of the Huthi group (also known as
“Ansar Allah”), an entity that has engaged in acts that obstruct the
implementation of the agreement of November 23, 2011 between the Government of
Yemen and those in opposition to it, which provides for a peaceful transition
of power in Yemen, or that obstruct the political process in Yemen.

(U)
Abdullah Yahya al Hakim gained prominence as a Huthi military commander
following the Huthi takeover of the al-Ahmar homes in Hashid (Yemen) in January
and February 2014.

(U) In June 2014, Abdullah Yahya al Hakim – the Huthi
group’s second-in-command – reportedly held a meeting in order to plot a coup
against Yemeni President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi.
Al Hakim met with military and security commanders, tribal chieftains, and
officials, and leading partisan figures loyal to former Yemeni President Ali
Abdullah Saleh also attended the meeting, which aimed to coordinate efforts to
take over Sana’a.

(U) In an August 29, 2014 public statement, the President of
the United Nations Security Council condemned the actions of Huthi forces
commanded by Abdullah Yahya al Hakim, who overran Amran (Yemen), including the
Yemeni Army Brigade headquarters on July 8, 2014. Al Hakim led the Huthi group’s July 2014 takeover of the Amran Governorate. Al Hakim was the Huthi military commander
responsible for making decisions regarding the Huthis’ ongoing conflicts in the
Amran Governorate and Hamdan (Yemen).
On July 3, 2014, al Hakim reportedly told the Presidential Committee
tasked with the supervision of the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in
the Amran Governorate that the Huthi fighters would not withdraw from the
positions and checkpoints under their control in the Amran Governorate, Hamdan
District, and other areas in Bani Matar, Yemen.

(U) In August 2014, the U.S. Department of State strongly
condemned the Huthis for actions taken to undermine the Gulf Cooperation
Council political transition process and Yemen’s stability. Specifically, the U.S. condemned the Huthi’s
“provocative, aggressive, and destabilizing actions and incitement against the
Government of Yemen, the establishment of armed camps in and around Sana’a, and
their continued illegitimate control of Amran.”

(U) As
of early September 2014, Huthi military commander Abdullah Yahya al Hakim
remained in Sana’a (Yemen) to oversee combat operations in case fighting
began. Al Hakim’s role was to organize
Huthi military operations so as to be able to topple the Yemeni government on
the order of Huthi leader ‘Abd al-Malik al-Huthi. Al Hakim was responsible for securing and
controlling all routes in and out of Sana’a.
He commanded a Huthi unit of about 300 persons paid to fight the Yemeni
government.--------